Monday, January 3, 2011

...and she travels miles for a wrestling bout

This 18-year-old lass is very enthusiastic, committed and hard-working. M.R. Ramya, a promising wrestler, hailing from Melapura in Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district, has already created history by winning the first ever bronze medal in the All India Inter-University Women's Wrestling Competition held at Jaipur recently, representing the Mysore University.

She has hogged the limelight by winning several events held both in the State and National-level Dasara Wrestling Competitions. She has won the first ever medal in the 63 kg category in the All India Inter-Varsity Wrestling Competition held at Jaipur in October 2010 organised by Rajasthan University. Mysore University had not won any medal in wrestling competitions, including men, since 1986.

Ramya, who started learning wrestling four years ago, is very dedicated to her passion. Earlier, while studying in PU, she had represented Karnataka and won a bronze medal. She has also been a part of the Junior Karnataka team (U-20), thanks to the unstinted support from her father M. Ravikumar and mother Kousalya. Star of Mysore spoke to this upcoming wrestler Ramya recently. Excerpts:

"Geetha Kumar who won the first gold medal for India in women's wrestling event in the Commonwealth Games-2010 is my role model. In the coming days, I want to represent my country in this sport and bring laurels. I have the support of my coach L. Manjappa," says Ramya.

Ramya practices for four hours daily — two hours in the morning for fitness and two in the evening — at the Lions Hall, adjacent to Oval Grounds.

"My dream is to win a gold medal in Olympics," says a confident Ramya, who aspires to study MBA and also desires of becoming a Police Inspector as well as a wrestling coach.

"Most parents hesitate to send their daughters for this sport as they think it's only for men. But my earnest request to them is to send their daughters for wrestling as it is just like any other sport," says Ramya.

"Wrestling builds one's confidence. The technique of interlocking the arms, using the torso and legs to twist and turn the opponent's body and make one fall is indeed difficult for a woman which requires stamina. It needs strength to hold an opponent as she is pinned to the ground. Ramya is a promising wrestler with a bright future," says her coach Manjappa, who also happens to be an SAI coach and a coach for Mysore University too.

Presently, Ramya is doing her II year B.Com in Banumaiah's College. She travels 22 kms (13.67 miles) from her house daily but never misses her practice. This shows her dedication towards the sport which is certain to take her to greater heights and win bouts in the ring.